For half a century, Paul Shaffer has entertained America. .
On April 6 (11 a.m.), the legendary “Saturday Night Live” performer and David Letterman’s musical director will entertain a few hundred guests, at the Westport Library.
Shaffer’s special mix of music, comedy and entertainment will be on display, as a special attraction for the VersoFest Oral History Podcast. He will also perform on the piano.
He’ll speak with fellow “SNL” alum (and iconic Beehive Queen) Christine Ohlman. She will host the conversation fresh off her Library appearance for her annual Winter Dance Party with her band, Rebel Montez.
The event is sponsored by the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston. Tickets are $25. Click here to purchase.
Shaffer and Ohlman’s appearance is just one of many highlights, during VersoFest’s 4 days of music, media and creatvity, from April 3 to 6. For more information, click here.
Paul Shaffer and Christine Ohlman.
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The Board of Education will hold a special meeting this Friday (9 a.m.). Staples High School boys tennis coach Kris Hrisovulos is appealing the non-renewal of his contract.
The meeting will be held in Rooms 307/309 at Town Hall.
Staples High School boys tennis coach Kris Hrisovulos
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Everyone needs a warm hug.
Thursday, February 6 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) marks the Westport Farmers’ Market’s annual Operation Warm Hug.
There, at their Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center winter home, they’ll collect lightly used coats, hats, mittens, sweaters and sweatshirts, to share with nOURish in Bridgeport.
Our neighbors are cold. Let’s warm them up!
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Longtime — very longtime — Staples High School track coach Laddie Lawrence has a new project.
He’s collaborating with former runner (and later coaching colleague) Amanda Parrish Morgan on a book about his life.
It includes his youth and career as a star Wrecker runner himself, his career, his athletes, his relationships with the town and the running community, and much more.
Amanda hopes that many people who know Laddie will contribute stories about him. Humorous, serious, inspirational — all are welcome.
Click here to fill out a response form. You can also contact Amada directly: (amandaparrishmorgan@gmail.com.
Laddie Lawrence and Amanda Parrish Morgan, at last fall’s Turkey Trot.
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Speaking of Staples: Madison Malin was in a thrift store in Alexandria, Virginia last weekend.
Browsing the racks, this item caught her eye:
She snagged it — and then started wondering.
Madison thinks it is at least 40 years old, because it features the old Minute Man logo, not the Wrecker.
“Do you have any memory of these being sold, or an idea where it came from?” she asked “06880.”
Nope! But I’m sure at least one reader does.
If you remember a sweater like this — including when and how it was sold — click “Comments” below.
Go Wreckers! And the Minute Man!
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Speaking of Staples: Congratulations to seniors Alessandro Alderucci, Alexa Fass and Maxwll Manchester; juniors Susan Monaghan and Ella Slade, and freshmen Edison Kousky and Anita Vinokur.
They’re the school’s Students of the Month.
The honor recognizes students who help make Staples a welcoming place for peers and teachers.
Principal Stafford Thomas calls them “the ‘glue’ of the Staples community — the type of kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students that keep the high school together, making it the special place that it is.”
From left: Maxwell Manchester, Alessandro Alderucci, Alexa Fass, Edison Kousky, Susan Monaghan, Anita Vinokur, Ella Slade.
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February is the shortest month (fortunately). But at Earthplace, it’s packed with activities. Among them:
“Family Campfire: National Bird Feeding Month” (February 8, 1 to 2:30 p.m.): Marshmallows, animals, guided activities and more.
“Bluebird Houses” (February 9, 1 to 3 p.m.): Build a nest box to have ready for spring; designed for school-aged children with caregivers to do togther.
“Snow Moon Hike” (February 12, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.): A guided hike along trails in a full moon; listen for owls, and pick out constellations.
“Craft and Sip: Pressed Flower Candle Holders” (February 13, 6 to 8 p.m.); Bring drinks and snacks, then join friends to create a simple craft.
“Maple Sugar Magic” (February 23, 1 to 3 p.m.): Help tap a tree, then sample maple goodies around a campfire.
“Wild Roots: Conserving Genetic Diversity with Native Plants” (February 27, 7 to 8 p.m.)
In addition, Earthplace offers full- and half-day Vacation Day Camps over winter break (February 17-21). The theme is “Food Preservation with Natural Cooking.”
Click here for details, on the Earthplace website.
Questions? For nature programs and events, email v.swain@earthplace.org. For Vacation Day Camp, email s.bell@earthplace.org.
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Aspetuck Land Trust helps you get ready for spring, with a series of free virtual lectures. They include:
“Native Bees and Honey Bees: What You Don’t Know” (today, January 29, 1 to 3 p.m.; click here to register, and for more information).
“The Science of Plant Survival Strategies in Garden Design” (Thursday, January 30, 1 to 2 p.m.; click here to register, and for more information).
“Bees Beyond Honey: Understanding Native & Managed Pollinators” (February 20, 6 p.m.; click here to register, and for more information).
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
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Just ahead of Valentine’s Day, the next Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand play reading is “Back Talk.”
The new romantic comedy — about first dates and second thoughts — is Monday, February 3 (7 p.m.).
Artistic director Mark Shanahan looks forward to “a warm, romantic comedy on a chilly night in February.”
All tickets are $30. To purchase, and for more information, click here.
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Molly Alger calls this the “Whitney Street Breakfast Club.”
We call it “Westport … Naturally'” feature. Mangia!
(Photo/Molly Alger)
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And finally … in honor of a couple of the upcoming book by coach Laddie Lawrence (story above):
(Run … don’t walk … to the bank, to support “06880.” Or — much more easily — simply click here. Your hyper-local blog thanks you.)
